Lot 38
  • 38

Horologion and Menologion, in Greek [Eastern Mediterranean], dated 1528

Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
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Description

  • ink and pigment on vellum
c.100x70mm, paper, iii+358(last blank)+i leaves, COMPLETE, in 46 quires mostly of 8 leaves, except xvi10, xxv6, xxviii-xxix4, xlvi6, 17 lines (c.45x70mm), small initials in red, slightly stained throughout, EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY DARK RED MOROCCO PROFUSELY GILT over wooden boards, upper cover stamped with oval plaque of the Crucifixion, corner-pieces with the symbols of the Evangelists, lower cover stamped with God enthroned wearing a Greek mitre with saints either side, corner-pieces of cherubim, metal clasps and catches, string bookmark attached to metal ring sewn on spine, edges gilt and gauffered, worn, gilt tooling oxisdised on spine and lower cover

Catalogue Note

Provenance

(1) SIGNED AND DATED BY THE SCRIBE, Georgios of Naupaktos, and completed on 2 April 1528 (colophon on f.357v). Perhaps made for a certain Gregorius, mentioned in a prayer (f.357v). (2) Ownership inscription of a priest Nymphos of the monastery called Viresi, 1650–51 (f.201v). (3) BARONESS ANGELA GEORGINA BURDETT-COUTTS (1814–1905) who inherited the gigantic banking fortune of the Coutts family through her step-grandmother the Duchess of St Albans, the wealthiest and one of the most famous women in England: her MS.II.1 and part of a group of 27 Greek manuscripts, all bought from Janina in Albania (now north-west Greece) in 1870–71, and presented to Highgate School; deposited at the British Museum in 1938. (4) Property of Highgate School, sold in our rooms, 23 June 1987, lot 57, to the present owner.

Text

Horologian (f.1r) and Menologion (f.185v) for the whole liturgical year, followed by further prayers and offices (f.304r).